What are the benefits of virtual coffee conversations?

As we continue to work and network remotely and/or in a socially-distanced manner, virtual coffee conversations and 1-2-1 chats continue to be an effective way to continue your networking with colleagues and contacts.

If you haven’t already fully engaged with remote networking and virtual coffees and webinars, you might want to consider getting involved.

Here are some of the benefits of engaging in an online space via virtual coffee conversations:

01. Keep in Contact with your Colleagues and Peers

Virtual coffees can be an important way to keep in contact with colleagues and peers. You can use virtual coffee breaks to have regular check-ins with individual team members. You can use them to simply say hi and check how they are doing or to discuss and ask specific work-related questions/matters.

Virtual coffees and check-ins can be an important part of building and deepening your internal network and open up opportunities. It can also have well-being benefits by providing you with an additional support network of your peers.

02. Build a Support Network of Like-Minded People

It is important to build a support network of like-minded people. We can all benefit from having a support network of people who “get” what we do and the challenges that we face.

Virtual coffee conversations with others in a similar position gives you an opportunity to talk about things with someone who understands. They can provide a sympathetic ear or alternatively, they may be able to provide really useful advice based on their own experiences.

03. Find Collaborators

Virtual coffees like real-life networking can be a great way to find people to work with. This might be people that you can collaborate with on projects or products.

Virtual coffees are the perfect way to have further 1-to-1 conversations to find out more about someone. This can help you work out whether they would be a good fit to work with in the future.

04. Spread the Word

Virtual coffees can be a great way to spread the word about you and your business. I don’t mean that it needs to be a sales pitch every time. However, by allowing people to get to know you they are far more likely to support and recommend you to others when they or someone else needs your services or product.

05. Find Clients (and Work)

Finally, virtual coffees can also help you to find clients. Networking is about building relationships and helping others. However, you might also be lucky and pick up some new clients along the way (or get some additional work from existing clients that you are keeping in touch with via virtual coffees).

Further Reading:

• Remote Networking Tips #16: Set up a Virtual 1-1 Coffee
• Quick Tip: Take Virtual Coffee Breaks with your team
• Remote Networking Tips #17: Set up a Virtual Coffee Morning